Recently, I came across some old sheet music for "Miss Saigon," the iconic musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. As I began playing the piano, I was deeply moved by the incredible music written back in the 80s. The melodies and lyrics of songs like "The Movie in My Mind," "Sun and Moon," "The Ceremony," "The Last Night of the World," "I Still Believe," and "I'd Give My Life for You" resonated with me profoundly, showcasing the mellifluous beauty of this musical.
"Miss Saigon" is a poignant musical set during the Vietnam War and its aftermath. It tells the story of Kim, a young Vietnamese woman who falls in love with Chris, an American GI. As Saigon falls, their love is torn apart when Chris is forced to leave Vietnam, unaware that Kim is pregnant with his child. The narrative follows Kim's struggle to survive and protect her son, Tam, in the face of immense hardship and sacrifice. Years later, Chris, now married to an American woman, returns to Vietnam, leading to a tragic and heart-wrenching reunion with Kim, who ultimately makes the ultimate sacrifice to secure a future for her son.
The Engineer, a pivotal character in "Miss Saigon," is a complex and morally ambiguous figure. He is a French-Vietnamese hustler and owner of the Dreamland nightclub, where he exploits young Vietnamese women, including Kim, to entertain American soldiers. The Engineer is driven by a relentless desire for power, wealth, and escape to America, seeing it as a land of opportunity and freedom. His character embodies the themes of desperation and survival in a war-torn society. Throughout the musical, the Engineer's actions and manipulations highlight his cunning nature and deep-seated ambition, making him both a fascinating and controversial character within the story.
As a young acting student, I vividly recall reading stories in Variety and other publications about the controversy surrounding Jonathan Pryce being cast as the Engineer in "Miss Saigon." At the time, the debates about racial representation and yellowface were making headlines. Despite the controversy, when I heard Pryce singing as the Engineer on the album, I found his voice to be perfect and delightful. His performance seemed impeccable to me, and the casting choice didn't matter as much to my younger self. I was immersed in a different context, more focused on the artistry and less on the broader social implications.
From an ethical standpoint, yellowface—the practice of non-Asian actors portraying Asian characters—is deeply problematic for several reasons:
1. Yellowface has a long history in Western entertainment, often used to depict Asian characters in a manner that perpetuates harmful stereotypes. This practice has contributed to a legacy of racism and misrepresentation, reducing complex cultures to caricatures. These portrayals often emphasize exaggerated physical features, mannerisms, and accents that are not only inaccurate but also demeaning.
2. When non-Asian actors take on Asian roles, it can be seen as cultural appropriation, where elements of a minority culture are adopted and performed by members of a dominant culture. This dynamic can reinforce power imbalances and disrespect the original culture by stripping away its authenticity and depth.
3. The practice of casting non-Asian actors in Asian roles perpetuates the lack of opportunities for Asian actors in the industry. Given the already limited number of roles available for Asian performers, yellowface further marginalizes them, denying them the chance to portray their own stories and characters authentically.
4. Yellowface can shape audience perceptions, leading to the reinforcement of negative and simplistic views of Asian cultures. These depictions can influence how people understand and interact with real Asian individuals, contributing to systemic racism and prejudice.
Yellowface has a long and controversial history in Western entertainment. Here are some notable examples that have made major news:
1. Mickey Rooney's portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi, a Japanese landlord, in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is one of the most infamous examples of yellowface. His exaggerated portrayal, complete with fake buck teeth and a heavy accent, has been widely criticized for its racial insensitivity and perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
2. David Carradine, a white actor, was cast as Kwai Chang Caine, a half-Chinese, half-American Shaolin monk, in the television series "Kung Fu." The role was originally intended for Bruce Lee, but Carradine was chosen instead, leading to accusations of yellowface and cultural appropriation.
3. John Wayne, known for his Westerns, was controversially cast as Genghis Khan in "The Conqueror." His portrayal, involving makeup to alter his appearance, was widely panned and remains a notorious example of yellowface in Hollywood.
4. Katharine Hepburn played Jade, a Chinese woman, in "Dragon Seed." The film used makeup and prosthetics to make Hepburn and other white actors appear Asian, which has since been criticized for its inauthentic and insensitive representation.
5. Marlon Brando played Sakini, a Japanese interpreter, in this film adaptation of the Broadway play Teahouse of the August Moon. Brando's performance involved heavy makeup to alter his appearance, and the role has been criticized for its use of yellowface.
6. In the film "Aloha," Emma Stone was cast as Allison Ng, a character who is part Asian and part Hawaiian. The casting choice drew significant backlash for whitewashing and misrepresenting Asian and Pacific Islander identity.
7. Tilda Swinton's casting in “Doctor Strange” as the Ancient One, a character originally depicted as an Asian man in the Marvel comics, sparked controversy over whitewashing and the erasure of Asian characters in Hollywood.
These examples highlight the ongoing issues of racial representation and the harmful impact of yellowface in the entertainment industry. While there have been strides towards more authentic and inclusive casting in recent years, these historical instances continue to serve as reminders of the need for greater sensitivity and diversity in media.
Scarlett Johansson in "Ghost in the Shell" (2017)
Scarlett Johansson's casting in the 2017 film "Ghost in the Shell" is another prominent example of controversy related to racial representation and whitewashing in Hollywood.
"Ghost in the Shell" is a live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese manga and anime series of the same name. The story is set in a futuristic world and follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg police officer who leads a task force against cyber criminals.
Johansson was cast as the lead character, Major Motoko Kusanagi, a decision that sparked significant backlash. Critics and fans of the original series argued that casting a white actress in a role that was originally Japanese was an example of whitewashing, a practice where white actors are cast in roles meant for non-white characters.
Casting Johansson, a white actress, erased the cultural and ethnic identity of the character, which was an essential part of the original story's context and appeal. The decision was seen as a missed opportunity to cast an Asian actress in a major Hollywood film, especially in a time when Asian representation in Western media was, and continues to be, limited.
The controversy likely impacted the film's commercial performance, as it failed to resonate with a broader audience and received mixed reviews. Some fans of the original series boycotted the film due to the casting choice. Not me. I was too curious to see the adaptation. In my analysis, the movie and animated movie tell different stories. The live action movie has a component theme of lost identities, which potentially can stand as some form of justification for the casting.
Scarlett Johansson defended her casting by emphasizing her belief in the story and character, and the film's producers argued that her casting was a business decision aimed at attracting a global audience. However, this rationale did little to quell the criticism and highlighted ongoing issues of diversity and representation in Hollywood.
Counterpoint
Despite these significant concerns, there are arguments to be made in favor of allowing a more flexible approach to casting, including interracial depictions in art. Art, by its nature, is a domain of imagination and creativity. Restricting actors to roles that match their ethnicity can limit the artistic expression of both the performers and the creators. In an ideal world, the best actor for a role would be chosen based on their ability to bring the character to life, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
Many stories and characters embody universal themes and human experiences that transcend race and ethnicity. Allowing diverse actors to portray a wide range of roles can highlight these universal aspects and promote a shared human connection. This approach can also provide fresh perspectives and interpretations of well-known characters and narratives. When done with respect and sensitivity, casting decisions that involve actors portraying different ethnicities can foster greater understanding and empathy. It is crucial that such decisions are made with a clear intent to honor and accurately represent the culture in question, avoiding caricature and stereotype. This requires thorough research, cultural consultation, and a genuine commitment to authenticity.
The controversies surrounding "Miss Saigon" have had a lasting impact on the theater community, prompting ongoing discussions about race, representation, and casting practices. The backlash against the original Broadway production led to increased awareness and advocacy for more equitable representation of Asian performers.
In recent years, there have been efforts to cast Asian actors in the roles originally portrayed by white performers, reflecting a growing commitment to authenticity and inclusivity in theater. However, the legacy of "Miss Saigon" continues to serve as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure fair and accurate representation of all communities on stage.